Luxembourg-based Cargolux is now routing freighter flights from South America directly to Amsterdam, the all-cargo airline announced this week. The new route is in response to South America\u2019s growing output \u2013 and European demand for \u2013 cut flowers. Each week, Cargolux flies an estimated 95 tons of flowers from Latacunga (Ecuador) and Bogot\u00e1 (Colombia) to the Netherlands. The flowers are sold near the Schiphol airport at the Aalsmeer auctions, the largest trading center for plants and flowers worldwide.
\nDuring the lead-up to Valentine\u2019s day this year, flower exports from Colombia and Ecuador alone reached about 35,000 tons. LATAM cargo has cornered 27 percent of this market at 10,500 tons, but, with exports on the rise, other carriers like Cargolux are bolstering their positions in the market.
\nCargolux has been in the South American perishables market, including the flower transport business, for 17 years. The airline began its first charter flight to Bogot\u00e1 in 1997, which was quickly bumped up to weekly flights to Colombia. Quito routes were added that same year, with feeder flights handled by Bogot\u00e1-based Aerosucre. Flights to Bogot\u00e1 became scheduled services in late 2000.
\nSource: aircargoworld<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"